Tip Sheets and Issue Briefs

This tip sheet explains what accommodations are, who they apply to and provides examples of workplace accommodations that could be helpful for young adults, and others, with serious mental health conditions.

This is a tip sheet for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions about finding, applying for, and interviewing for jobs. This tip sheet was originally published in 2011. It has been updated for 2023.

Young adults (ages 18–30) with serious mental health conditions (SMHC) often face challenges in their education, training, and employment pursuits. The study presented in this brief study describes young adult patterns of education, training, and employment activities for individuals with SMHC in the United States and identifies modifiable factors that hinder or facilitate their ability to consistently pursue these activities. Based on first-person narratives from young adults (ages 25–30) with SMHC, these findings should inform psychiatric rehabilitation efforts that support the school, training, and work activities of young adults with SMHC to improve their long-term career trajectories.

The transition from college to career includes many challenges, such as adjusting to a professional environment, the high costs of student loan repayment and independent living, and changes in social support networks. Many of these challenges affect a young person’s emotional wellbeing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many people to lose income because of pay cuts, lay-offs, or furloughs. This loss of income can be very scary and may be the first time you’ve been on your own and out of work. It can be overwhelming to figure out how to pay your different bills (e.g., school loans, credit cards, rent, food, etc.)...

Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic many workers are shifting from coming into their workplace to working from home. This may be a new challenge for many workers. Successfully working from home can present unique challenges, from how to focus with at-home distractions, to trying to be productive, trying to communicate well with team members from afar, and childcare. 

This research brief discusses the disparities in vocational rehabilitation (VR) services and supports that Black young adults with mental health conditions face when compared to their White peers. It touches on what the disparities this population faces in VR are, research on barriers and facilitators to employment for Black young adults, engagement and access to vocational services and areas for future study.

Having a job as a youth or young adult is a predictor of long-term work success. Having a job has also been related to improved self-esteem, self-efficacy, and life satisfaction. However, there is a significant gap in work experience for many young adults living with mental health conditions. This tip sheet has information on 1) why work is especially important for young adults; 2) the impact of receiving disability benefits rather than employment early in life; 3) how to cultivate motivation toward employment goals; 4) ways to promote work experiences; 5) tips on helping young adults with mental health conditions get a job; 6) and resources to learn more.

A recent law, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) P.L. 113-128, 2014, mandates services for youth and young adults (ages 14-24) with disabilities, including those with psychiatric disabilities or mental health conditions, to help them prepare for and obtain jobs and pursue careers that offer competitive salaries and benefits. This tip sheet provides information on who is eligible to receive WIOA Youth Services, where youth and young adults with disabilities can access services, and what services are available.

High unemployment among young adults with serious mental health conditions (SMHCs) should not only be attributed to their mental health conditions. Research should take an intersectional approach where, in addition to looking at mental health condition factors, other indicators of social and demographic inequalities are also taken into account.

The Collecting Histories and Employment during Recovery (CHEER) study aims to provide a long-term picture of career development activities of young adults living with serious mental health conditions. From this study, we will better understand the work and education experiences, and the supports and barriers encountered by young adults with serious mental health conditions when trying to achieve their work and/or education goals, as well as how becoming a parent has impacted their work and education experiences.

Many sections of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act are specific to students and to youth with disabilities. Though none pertain specifically to youth with significant psychiatric disabilities there are many areas that providers, advocates, family, members, and youth themselves should be aware of as avenues for possible employment related services and interventions. This brief will highlight some of the key topics to consider.

The Transitions RTC and Thresholds Young Adult Program (YAP) developed a supported employment/ education model based on the Individual Placement and Support1 model (IPS) and added a vocational peer mentor for emerging adults with serious mental health conditions (SMHC).

Starting and keeping a new job can be stressful for anyone. However, there are healthy ways to deal with this stress. This tip sheet has some tips to help you be more prepared to start and keep a new job, and hopefully be a little less stressed.

This publication provides some guidance to young adults living with a mental health condition as to whether or not to disclose that information in the workplace.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies are located in every US state. VR helps people with physical or mental health disabilities achieve employment and live independently by offering vocational counseling and related individualized services. This tip sheet explains how young adults with serious mental health conditions can take advantage of the VR services in their state.

Describes the Appealing Features of the Vocational Supports for Latino and Non-Latino Transition Aged Youth and Youth Adults (TAYYA) Consumers Study, which focuses on addressing employment disparities of young adults with a serious mental health condition (SMHC). The study pays particular attention to Latino TAYYA as they are a group at high risk for negative outcomes.

Tip sheet for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions about finding, applying for, and interviewing for jobs. This tip sheet is also available in Spanish.